Sun Spots

I'm concerned about some sun spots that have appeared on my face. What products will make them go away?

When I was a little girl, I'd get a sprinkling of freckles across my nose and cheeks every summer and my mom thought it was adorable. My childhood freckles faded away by fall, but now, those little brown spots don't go away - ever.

Sun spots, age spots, or hyperpigmentation are all a sign of aging and develop after many years of UV exposure. Although areas of dark pigmentation may not disappear completely, they can be lightened with diligent daily skin care. Here's how:

• Exfoliate with products containing alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) or Vitamin A derivatives to speed up your skin's natural turnover. 
• Correct darkened areas with products that contain hydroquinone, kojic acid, Azelaic acid, or bearberry extract that interfere with melanin production. Since this process happens at a cellular level and these products don't actually "bleach" the skin's surface, it can take 30 days or longer to see results. 
• Enhance the effectiveness of skin-lightening products with daily use of topical antioxidants containing Vitamin C, E or Acai berry. 
• Protect your skin with a sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher to prevent future dark spots from forming or existing ones from becoming darker. 

Treatment of hyperpigmentation is an ongoing process and sun spots can easily reappear with sun exposure. Lots of sunscreen, sunglasses, and shade will be in your future if you want youthful, less pigmented skin.

- Gina Thompson, Clinical Skin Care Specialist and Camouflage Makeup Artist